The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to inspect the conditions of washrooms and toilets in all jail complexes in the national capital.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, also instructed the Delhi Government to appoint sufficient staff for the cleaning of these facilities.
The court was addressing a plea filed by Anuj Malhotra, which highlighted inadequate facilities for inmates in the jails. The bench reviewed a report from the authorities indicating no incidents of manual scavenging by inmates but noting unsatisfactory conditions of washrooms.
The report revealed that cleaning was often done voluntarily by inmates, with inconsistent remuneration. It also pointed out the lack of cleaning gear and toiletries and the need for renovations in some toilets.
The division bench ordered the Delhi Government to consider seeking help from NGOs or hiring contractors for cleaning the jails. It directed that inmates performing voluntary cleaning be paid at least minimum wages and provided with necessary cleaning gear, including gloves, masks, and boots.
The court mandated that an inspection of the washrooms be completed within two weeks, with renovation proposals submitted within an additional two weeks. Renovations should be carried out in phases to ensure availability of facilities for all inmates.
The court also instructed the immediate construction of septic tanks if required and set a deadline of four months for completing the renovation work.
The Delhi Government was directed to file an action taken report within eight weeks, with the case scheduled for compliance review on October 22.
